Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed 2024 Preview, Picks & Analysis

Keith Pelley may be gone but his legacy lives on at the innovative Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed, which heads to Vasatorps Golfklubb in Helsingborg, boasting a host of home-grown players in the field.

Past champion Linn Grant will be joined by Sweden’s most recent DP World Tour winner, Jesper Svensson, on home soil.

The tournament, co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and Ladies European Tour, features a field of 78 men and 78 women competing on the same course for one prize fund and one trophy.

Grant made history in 2022 when she became the first female winner of a DP World Tour event, storming to a nine-stroke victory at Halmstad Golf Club. "I’m very excited to play in the Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed again," said Grant. "My victory two years ago was such an exciting moment and it’s always great to come back and play it. Especially this time, as it takes place in my hometown. I’m really looking forward to it."

Svensson is enjoying an excellent rookie year on the DP World Tour after graduating from the European Challenge Tour.

The 28-year-old was runner-up on two of his first six starts this season, before claiming a maiden victory at the Singapore Classic.

Riding high in the Race to Dubai, Svensson said: "This will be the first time I’ll have played in front of a home crowd since my victory, so I can’t wait to get out there and celebrate my success with them. It has been a great start to the year so far, and I would love nothing more than to add to that at Vasatorps in June."

The pair will be joined in Helsingborg by DP World Tour winners Alexander Bjork and Sebastian Soderberg, with compatriots Johanna Gustavsson and five-time Solheim Cup star Caroline Hedwall also confirmed to tee it up.

Representing Denmark at Vasatorps Golfklubb will be four-time DP World Tour winner Rasmus Hojgaard, making his first appearance in the event. The 23-year-old will be bidding for a second victory in the region after claiming the Made in HimmerLand title on home soil last season. "I’m looking forward to playing in this tournament for the first time," said Hojgaard. "It’ll be really interesting to go up against players from the Ladies European Tour, it should be a great week. And with the event being held so close to Denmark, it would be great to see fans come over and support not just me but the other Danish golfers taking part too."

Also teeing it up in Sweden will be 2019 Solheim Cup player Anne van Dam, who finished third in her first appearance at the tournament last year. The Dutchwoman is a five-time LET winner and was a teammate of Hedwall’s at Gleneagles five years ago.

Swedish stars Vincent Norrman and Madelene Sagstrom are also in the field.

Two-time DP World Tour winner Norrman will return for the first time since 2021, with Sagstrom returning after finishing joint 12th last season.

Norrman made his first appearance on the DP World Tour as an amateur at this tournament in 2019, and last season won the Barbasol Championship and the Irish Open.

"I’m really excited to have had the opportunity to work this event into my schedule," said Norrman. "Being based in the United States I don’t get the opportunity to come back as often as I’d like, so I’m looking forward to playing in front of the home crowds again.

"It’s a really interesting tournament and there has been some Swedish success in the past. I’d love to add my name to that list and pick up another win."

Three-time Solheim Cup star Sagstrom added: "I had a great experience in Sweden at last year’s event. The atmosphere was unlike anything I’ve experienced at a golf tournament and it’s great to have the opportunity to compete against the guys from the DP World Tour.

"We’ve shown over the last few years that we are more than capable of going head-to-head with them and I think we’re all looking forward to having another opportunity to do so in a few weeks’ time."

Official World Ranking points will be on offer for both Tours, as well as Race to Dubai points for the men and Order of Merit and Solheim Cup points for the women.

Jonathan Caldwell won the inaugural edition three years ago, followed by history-maker Grant and last year’s champion Dale Whitnell.

Tournament Winners:

It was won in 2021 by Jonathan Caldwell, in 2022 by Linn Grant and last year by Dale Whitnell.

The Course:

Vasatorps Golfklubb is a par 72 that measures 7,295 yards and was designed by Arthur Hills and opened in 1974. There are two 18-hole courses and two nine-hole courses - and an astonishing 3,000 members. The Tournament Course is rated one of the best in Sweden.

Form Guide:

There will be huge interest in 2022 champion Linn Grant, but I expect Rasmus Hojgaard and Vincent Normann to be the players to beat - they are both proven winners who have performed well in this part of the world in the past

To Win:

Rasmus Hojgaard. Hugely gifted

Each Way:

Linn Grant. Mercurial talent

Each Way:

Vincent Normann. Winner on both sides of the pond

Five to Follow:

Rasmus Hojgaard. Next win is overdue

Linn Grant. Brilliant short game

Vincent Normann. Will love playing on home soil

Jesper Svensson. Riding high

Caroline Hedwall. Wonderful attacking golfer